Winners and a Bit of Ennui

I'm proud of my last two blog posts. I was very fortunate to have two great Indie bestselling authors agree to do an interview. Not only did they share a few insights, but they both kindly offered up a free e-book of their respective guides: Jeff Bennington's 'Indie Author's Guide to the Universe' (http://amzn.to/HUMbaN) and Scott Nichoson's 'The Indie Journey' (http://amzn.to/HGMyse). I am terribly slow in getting around to announcing the giveaway winners for these two awesome Indie guidebooks. Sometimes life needs attending to, and I have been a little lax with my blogging as a result of being away at a convention for a few days, and then catching up on my life once I returned home.

How dull! But that's why.

Without any further ado or lame excuses, I will avert my eyes and get my friend to enter the room and arbitrarily choose a winner from the kind folks who left comments on these recent (and I hope helpful) blog posts. In case you missed them, here are the links to the interviews with bestselling Indies Scott Nicholson and Jeff Bennington:

http://ruth-barrett-spiritedwords.blogspot.ca/2012/04/scott-nicholson-shares-tips-for-indie.html

http://ruth-barrett-spiritedwords.blogspot.ca/2012/04/bestselling-author-jeff-bennington.html

Drumroll please...

Aaaaaaaaand the winners are:

Lisa Lane gets a shiny e-copy of The Indie Journey!

(Wild applause!)

And TJ Reed gets The Indie Author's Guide to the Universe!

WOOOT!

I hope you both find these books helpful and encouraging. I know that I did. If you didn't win a copy, they are worth the investment if you are serious about pursuing the Indie author's path. Check them out!

And now here's the ennui I mentioned at the outset-- Henri the cat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q34z5dCmC4M

Scott Nicholson Shares Tips for Indie Authors!

A lot of authors have made the same comparison: we have all found the world of Indie publishing to be like the new Wild West. It’s exciting! There are no set rules, and every author can gallop across that open plain into the sunset without an agent or a publisher telling them what they can and cannot do. Gatekeepers? We don’t need no stinkin’ gatekeepers! Yee-haw!

Maybe not… but some guidance sure would be nice. Gets a bit lonesome and scary out in the middle of nowhere, just you and your horse… er… book.

(Quick commercial insert here: As a result of the marketing tips I've gleaned from my blog guests, Base Spirits is currently on at 99 cents! http://amzn.to/wQ1ms4 )

For the next two blog posts, I am pleased to be hosting the authors of two of my favourite Indie guides. The Indie Author’s Guide to the Universe by Jeff Bennington (http://amzn.to/H9XrSa), and The Indie Journey: Secrets to Writing Success by Scott Nicholson (http://amzn.to/HGMyse) are must-reads for any Indie author. Not only are both books packed full of great ideas, practical tips and inspirational moments, they are a delight to read. The authors’ true voices come across loud and clear: these are two engaging men who approach their subject with heart and humour. You couldn’t ask for better companions out there on the Frontier.

But don't just take my word for it-- read for yourself! Scott has very kindly provided a free e-book to give away. Just leave a comment below, and Tweet or otherwise share this post to win!

Scott Nicholson is a prolific author of dark fiction, and you can find out all about his books and contact Scott here: http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/. There are too many books to list, but some of my own favourites are The Red Church, Drummer Boy, The Vampire Shortstop and Creative Spirit. Scott has been out and about on the traditional publishing route as well over the years, and that background certainly informed his own Indie journey. His invaluable experiences are generously shared in The Indie Journey: Secrets to Writing Success.

Welcome, Scott!

1- First off, tell us why you decided to write this helpful guide. 

I'd seen so much attention placed on rankings and money and trad-pub hate that I wanted to present a more philosophical approach, focusing on happiness as the goal instead of the latest tricks to game the Amazon algorithms. Algorithms constantly change, but a metaphysical and spiritual satisfaction with your career never fades.

2- Let’s jump back in time: if you were just starting out on your own Indie journey, what are the top three things you wish you had known from the outset?

1. Jump in earlier and with both feet. 2. Be fully committed. 3. Don't get caught up in the noise.

3- a) What was your biggest misstep? 

I sat on the sidelines for at least six months waiting to see where the Kindle was headed, trying to get agents to sell my books and all that. And I was still talking with agents the first six months after I put in a couple of books, and I was holding out books to try to sell the old way. That was foolish in retrospect.

   

b) How did it make you feel? 

My generation of writers was trained that only hacks self-publish and that it kills any chance of a "real career."

4- a) What was your greatest triumph? 

Fulfilling my only real writing goal of being able to do this for a living.

b) You’ve had some great success along the way. What makes this the most outstanding example? 

Because I never required stardom or the ego baggage, only the satisfaction of the universe making room for the thing I loved to do. I accept that as proof that my writing has enough value to others to be worthwhile.

5- What is the best thing about being an Indie author? 

Wearing ratty sweatpants to work.

6- There’s a dark side to everything in life… so how about the worst thing? 

The firm belief that this digital era will not last in its current form, and the uncertainty ahead. Of course, that is also a joy, too.

7- Obviously, you have the experience of having been published traditionally as well as going Indie. What do you think are the top benefits of each route? 

Trad? Your book in a store, which is still cool even if less useful to sustaining a career. Indie? You get paid every month and the boss doesn't suck, hopefully.

8- Last but not least… what’s next for Scott Nicholson?

I am launching a Kindle giveaway site http://ebookswag.com/ because I believe free books are not only here to stay, they are going to become the dominant model. And writers might want to figure out how to monetize the next era if they want to continue writing.

Thanks for your time, Scott! 

Remember to leave a comment/share this post to enter the draw for Scott's book... and for more great swag and free books, drop by http://ebookswag.com/ !

Scott Nicholson on Creepfest!

Hi folks- and welcome back to the 12 Days of Creepfest! Don't forget that you can enter to win a virtual stack of e-books, including a copy of a children's e-book If I Were your Monster from today's fabulous guest, Scott Nicholson! Perfect for the kiddies on your gift list. To enter the e-book draw, follow the simple rules here: http://ruth-barrett-spiritedwords.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome-to-12-days-of-creepfest.html

Here's the shiny new cover for Scott's latest book Creative Spirit. Great image- I love it. Read on as Scott shares his thoughts on the true spirit of the season...

Scott's Latest Offering

Ghost of Perfect Christmas
By Scott Nicholson

My Ghost of Christmas Future would be the one where I finally convince my relatives that I really, truly already have all that I need—in fact, more than I need. At which point, I will suggest they simply not buy me anything and pay off debt instead, or else donate the gift to charity. Every year I make the case for it, and I don’t care if it’s “bad” for the economy. I don’t mean to come off as a Grinch, but I see so many people enslaving themselves for three months just to pay off that holiday binge.

Now, I am a fan of handmade gifts, or simple presents that can be used to create, such as art supplies or musical instruments. And I understand the “transaction of value” that helps us all give and take and survive. I just don’t think another $20 plastic imported trinket from Wal-Mart is going to improve my life or help the world become a more peaceful, sustainable place. To me, the ideals of Christmas are actually wrapped up in simplicity and minimalism, and a contentment with the many blessings we have all around us—love, friendship, and a beautiful planet.

Thanks for joining my branch of the tour, Scott. Find out more about today's guest and get all the links you'll ever need to do so just below!

Scott Nicholson’s CREATIVE SPIRIT is available at:
Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Spirit-ebook/dp/B006HKLNAI
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003ZSHPJS
Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Creative-Spirit/book-7stJgU_TmkexuV2diufWVA/page1.html
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26021
BN.com http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/creative-spirit-scott-nicholson/1101704574
or Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11153196-creative-spirit.

Look for Liquid Fear and Chronic Fear from Amazon’s Thomas & Mercer imprint. Scott is Kindle bestselling author of 12 novels, including THE RED CHURCH, DISINTEGRATION, LIQUID FEAR, and SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD.
Connect with Scott on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorscottnicholson
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/97045.Scott_Nicholson
LibraryThing https://www.facebook.com/authorscottnicholson
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/eScottNicholson
blogspot http://hauntedcomputer.blogspot.com/
Website http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/
or Amazon page http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Nicholson/e/B001HCX30O